Comedy Actors Roundtable: Sacha Baron Cohen, Jim Carrey, Don Cheadle & More | Close Up
The Hollywood Reporter
75 min, 35 sec
A detailed conversation with six prominent comedy actors discussing their careers, the nature of comedy, and their experiences in Hollywood.
Summary
- The actors share personal stories, insights into their craft, and moments of self-doubt or validation from their careers.
- They discuss the risks and rewards of comedy, the importance of authenticity in their performances, and the influence of fame.
- The conversation touches on the impact of their work, the blend of comedy and drama, and the personal resonance of the roles they play.
- Sacha Baron Cohen shares intense experiences from going undercover and the dangers involved in his style of comedy.
- The actors reflect on moments when they felt they had 'made it' in Hollywood and the continual drive to seek new challenges.
Chapter 1
The host introduces the six comedy actors participating in the roundtable discussion.
- Host Lacey Rose welcomes Timothy Simons, Sacha Baron Cohen, Henry Winkler, Don Cheadle, Jim Carrey, and Ted Danson.
- The actors greet the host and each other, setting a casual and friendly tone for the discussion.
Chapter 2
The actors engage in light-hearted banter before diving into the first discussion prompt.
- The participants exchange pleasantries and humorous remarks, showcasing their camaraderie.
- Jim Carrey's playful interaction with the host sets an upbeat mood for the conversation.
Chapter 3
The actors discuss their reasons for acting, sharing both humorous and genuine motivations.
- Timothy Simons jokes about his need for attention while others express their inability to do anything else but act.
- Jim Carrey delves into his view of acting as a way to reconfigure the broken pieces of himself for the audience.
Chapter 4
The conversation shifts to the challenges of handling fame and success in the acting industry.
- The actors wish they knew more about the business side of the industry and managing personal lives alongside their careers.
- They express a desire to have been more relaxed and enjoyed the journey without excessive worry.
Chapter 5
The actors talk about being typecast and the difficulty of moving on from iconic roles.
- Henry Winkler shares his experience of being typecast after 'Happy Days' and the struggle to find new roles.
- Ted Danson discusses how his role as Sam Malone allowed for a smoother transition to other parts.
Chapter 6
The actors reflect on their comedic influences and how they see themselves within the comedy genre.
- Jim Carrey admires Dick Van Dyke and explains how his physical comedy influenced him.
- The group discusses the therapeutic aspect of comedy and how it helps them process life experiences.
Chapter 7
Sacha Baron Cohen shares the extreme lengths he goes to for his undercover comedic work.
- He talks about the dangers and challenges of staying undercover and the complex planning involved in his projects.
- Cohen recounts a particular experience involving Ben Carson and the Secret Service.